The Enchantments
Leavenworth, Washington State, USA
Two Nights in the Stuart Permit Area: An Alternative to the Enchantments Through Hike
Permits
Unless you're the type to run almost 20 miles with 5,500 feet of elevation gain in one day, you need a permit to hike the Enchantments between May 15 and October 31.
Links: Recreation.gov
Apply: Feb 15, 2022 - March 1, 2022
Results Available: Mar 17, 2022
The most popular hike is to start at Lake Stuart Trailhead and leave through the Snow Lakes trailhead. Our group of 4 applied for the permit to camp in the Core Zone in order to spend the first night at Colchuck Lake, but we got a Stuart Lake permit instead. With the Stuart Lake, you are only allowed to camp in that zone, which includes Stuart and Horseshoe Lakes, but not the rest of the Enchantments. So we had a few options: camp right before the Colchuck Permit Area and carry our backpacking gear, try to do the traverse in one day, or make the best of camping in the Stuart Zone - and that's what this post will describe.
Gear
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase using one of these links.Backpacking backpack. I love my Gregory Jade 60 Liters bag I bought in 2012. The Gregory Jade 63 is the newer version. I wouldn't go bigger than that in general because your bag will be too heavy.
Hiking boots.
Hiking poles. I bought mine at the first town I came to on the Tour du Mt. Blanc and have never left them behind since.
Head bug net: we bought our net just incase and though dorky, we were lucky to have them.
Tent - I've slept many nights in my REI Co-op Quarter Dome 2 Tent
Sleeping Bag - I love my NEMO 15 Long Sleeping Bag I bought in 2017.
Sleeping Pad - This was the first time using my 'chase lounge of sleeping mats' the Nemo Quasar Insulated Air Sleeping Pad
Swimsuit for jumping in the lakes
Hiking Shorts
Hiking Tank Tops
Light/loose long pants and long shirt to coverup for bugs
Water bladder - I use a 3 liter from Osprey
Water filter
Cooking stove and gas
Cooking pan
Something to eat in - I use a super cheap lightweight tubberware
A SPORK! Nothing says camping like sporks!
Food: We splurged on a backpacker's meal from REI - just add water!
Two Nights in the Stuart Permit Area
A meadow on the way to Lake Stuart
Day One: Thursday, July 8 2021
We left Seattle around 7:00 am and arrived at the Stuart Lake trailhead a little over 3 hours later. We parked on the road about a half a mile away from the trailhead where the line of parked cars began. However, we later found out that there is reserved parking at the trailhead for permit holders - but as hiking lovers - who minds a bit extra hiking?
We started the hike along Mountaineer Creek, with fantastic water breaks along the way - on the bridge crossing the creek and on a flat rock to the left of the trail. About 2.2 miles later, we came to a junction. To the left is the trail to Colchuck Lake and to the right, Stuart Lake. There is a toilet close by the junction - but beware - these toilets have great views but no walls.
From the junction, it's 2 more miles to Stuart Lake. We finally arrived at Stuart Lake! With so few permits given there were more than enough private campsites to choose from. We choose one of the first right on the lake with some logs to sit on. We took a swim in the refreshing waters. Then made a quick dinner, and hid from the bugs in our tent for the rest of the night.
A note - there's another toilet to the right of the trail not too long after getting to the lake. Again it's wide open so great views, but maybe leave a jacket at the beginning of the toilet trail to preserve some privacy.
Our refreshments cooling in Lake Stuart.
Day Two: Friday, July 9 2021
We woke up to a beautiful morning at Stuart Lake, and packed up camp amongst the aggressive bugs - again so happy for those bugs nets! We walked back the junction mostly downhill for 2 miles. We ditched most of our heavy gear - the sleeping bags, pads, and tents near the junction, and started the climb to Colchuck Lake. From the junction it's a steep 1.8 miles up to the lake. It is definitely a climb and we saw some people with just a Gatorade bottle for the whole day at the lake. Right before arriving at the lake, there's a trail to the left with places to sit on the shore, a helipad, and an open toilet. Else, by continuing straight there's more places to sit by the water, or continue on the trail to Asguard pass. I think the best spot is to the left for that quintessential view of the lake. We sat by a friendly group of travel nurses with flamingo floats! A float is the perfect way to soak up the sun and still get some cooling from the water, but not too much.
In the early evening we started back down the trail, and continued towards the trailhead in search of a campsite. We stumbled upon that fantastic flat rock that where we stopped for a water break the first day and had dinner with a gorgeous view of the mountains.
Colchuck Lake
Day Three: Saturday, July 10 2021
We slept in a tad late, and woke up completely surrounded by early morning hiking groups. I guess that's deserved for claiming the best water break spot as a campsite. We packed up camp and walked back to the trailhead. There were park rangers at the trailhead making sure hikers were prepared - and I assume - checking for permits. Road parking is available on one side of the road and went on for miles (be prepared if you're hiking on the weekend).
We celebrated our hiking with some sandwiches an ice cream for a late breakfast at O'Grady's Pantry & Mercantile at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort. They have a huge outside area, so hopefully we didn't offend anyone with our hiking stank. Then we parked at Waterfront Park in downtown Leavenworth to swim in the river and chill until checking into our hotel.
We showered and then onto celebrate! Steins of grapefruit radlers and pretzels at my favorite watering hole in Leavenworth, the Rhein Haus Leavenworth, and a schnitzel dinner to follow at Colchuck's.
A small swimming hole in Waterfront Park in Leavenworth, WA.